Over 800 Students from Blackrock College and Willow Park set a new Guinness world record in Dublin, forming the world's largest human shamrock. Photo: Damien EagersFourth year Blackrock College student, Mahon O'Brien jumps in delight Photo: Damien EagersOver 800 Students from Blackrock College and Willow Park set a new Guinness world record in Dublin, forming the world's largest human shamrock. Photo: Damien EagersOver 800 Students from Blackrock College and Willow Park set a new Guinness world record in Dublin, forming the world's largest human shamrock. Photo: Damien Eagers

HUNDREDS of schoolboys took time out of class today to form the world’s largest human shamrock.

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800 Dublin schoolboys set world record for largest human shamrock

Independent.ie

HUNDREDS of schoolboys took time out of class today to form the world’s largest human shamrock.

More than 800 students from Blackrock College and Willow Park schools in Dublin assembled on the lawns of Blackrock College in an attempt to set an official Guinness World Record with the feat.

The students arranged themselves in the shape of a giant shamrock, a position they held for five minutes to adhere to strict guidelines set down by officials from the Guinness World Records offices in London.

The giant assembly was all in aid of charity and was organised as part of the school’s 25th anniversary celebrations of their annual St Patrick’s Day Badges campaign.

Since it began in 1988, the campaign has managed to raise more than €2 million to support the world’s poor.

“We were determined to mark the 25th year of the badges campaign in a very special way,” said Blackrock College principal Alan MacGinty.

“Given the success of the initiative over the years - and the difference the €2 million raised has made in some of the most deprived parts of the world - we are hopeful that we can raise more money for GOAL and Aidlink this year than ever before.

"We will be sending evidence of the attempt off to London in the coming days and then we just have to wait and see if we were successful", he said.

GOAL CEO and former Blackrock student, Barry Andrews was also keen to wish the Blackrock students luck as they wait to hear whether their attempt has been successful.

“The fact that they are attempting such a feat is indicative of Blackrock’s imaginative approach to charitable fundraising. It was this college, after all, that came up with the idea, 25 years ago, of making shamrock badges and selling them on St Patrick’s Day, with all proceeds going to charity.

"GOAL has been a major beneficiary of the St Patrick’s badges initiative, and for this we are extremely grateful. GOAL is delighted to have been associated for so many years with Blackrock College. We trust this association will continue for many years to come.”

The students now have an anxious wait to hear back from Guinness who will confirm whether or not their attempt was successful.